Silent Bob's sidekick hits Rock Bottom

Jason Mewes, better known as Jay to Kevin Smith's Silent Bob, was in court in New Jersey on Tuesday. The actor, who has appeared in all Smith's films - Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back - was given the choice between jail time and drug rehab after his non-appearance on a heroin conviction charge from 1999.

Mewes failed to show up in court in 2001 following the conviction, and a warrant for his arrest was issued. When he finally gave himself up, he was being accompanied by a film crew who are making an HBO special about his attempt to go cold-turkey, reports E Online. The Asbury Park Press said that the film would be entitled Rock Bottom.

Mewes was silent in the courtroom, only speaking to confirm his parole violations, including not undergoing drug testing and not meeting with his parole officer. Judge Michael D Farren told Mewes he had 10 days in which to enrol in a drug rehabilitation facility, and that he was forbidden to leave the state until he completed the program, which takes between four and six months. If he doesn't comply with the judge's demands, Mewes could be sent to jail for up to five years. His manager (and the producer of Rock Bottom), Craig Veytia, was reported by the Asbury Park Press as saying Mewes "wants to help other people so they don't fall into the same trap as he did".